Ali is a Muslim, of Pakistani descent, and was born in Birmingham. He belongs to the Mirpuri community; his grandfather migrated to England from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. Ali's grandmother was Betty Cox, who was White British making him mixed-race. He can understand Urdu and Punjabi. He became known fondly as "the beard that's feared" at New Road. Ali's father worked as a taxi driver, and as a psychiatric nurse. He grew up on the same street as fellow cricketers Kabir Ali (his first cousin), Naqaash Tahir, and Rawait Khan. His brothers Kadeer and Omar are also cricketers.

Warwickshire

Ali signed for Warwickshire aged just 15, hitting a half-century for the county's Second XI a few days before his 16th birthday. After more games at this level in 2004, and a first outing for England Under-19s against their Bangladeshi counterparts he spent the succeeding winter playing for the Under-19s on their tour of India.

2005 saw Ali make his first-class debut, against Cambridge University in May. He impressed with the bat, making 57 not out in his only innings, and sent down two overs for 15 runs. Playing that summer against Sri Lankan Under-19s, he starred in the final "Test" by making 52 not out and 100 not out (the latter innings from 56 balls) and claiming seven wickets. He was then selected for the